Popping Champagne Tonight Might Make You Go Blind
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you should think twice before popping that champagne cork this New Year’s Eve.
The AAO says those opening champagne bottles are at a real risk of seriously damaging their eyes.
They released a statement stating that, “When a champagne cork flies, you really have no time to react and protect your delicate eyes. Champagne bottles contain pressure as high as 90 pounds per square inch – more than the pressure found inside a typical car tire.”
“This pressure can launch a champagne cork at 50 miles per hour as it leaves the bottle, which is fast enough to shatter glass. Unfortunately, this is also fast enough to permanently damage vision.”
The usual opening distance of 60cm can be travelled by the cork in as little as 0.05s meaning that there is no time to react once it is aiming for your eye. The result could mean permanent damage to your vision including blindness.
In order to reduce the chances of getting hurt by whizzing cork, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends covering the bottle with a towel and opening it slowly, allowing the cork to pop inside the towel. Happy New Year and safe popping.
Paul Hudson | Elite.
